Method for reshaping and restoring cartridge-shells.



PATENTBD NOV. 19, 1907.

NG C

W. T. AL PING AND LIGATIQN' P'I SOP.

RESTORI ARTRIDGE SHELLS. LED 11130.18

METHOD FOR RES 094995 Z I I empty shells thereover.

\\'ll.l.l;\i\i T. ALSOP, OF OWENSBORO, KENTUCKY.

METHOD FOR RESHAPING AND RESTQRING CARTRIDGE-SHELLS.

Application filed December 18, 1905- Serial No. 292.339.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 19, 1907.

primary object of the same is to provide a simple and effective meansfor expeditiously reshaping a shell after it has been used anddistributing or rectifying an irregularity of saturation of the paraflinordinarily employed in shells .of this type, and which freguentlybecomes displaced when the charge rom the shell is fired.

The shaper involves essentially a suitable thinaer sheet metal base,from which a plurality of thin metal tubes project vertically, the tubesbeing uniform in height and refrably having upper inwardly bevele'extremities for convenience in application of After the shaper has hadthe shells applied thereto, it is subjected to heat of suflicient degreeto cause the arafi'in in the paper body of, the shell to becomeregularly distributed throughout such body and to overcome anydisplacement that may have ensued by dischargingthe load from the shell.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a shaper embodying thefeatures of the invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same. Fig. 3is a section through a portion of the shaper showing the preferred meansof attaching the tubular members to the base.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate correspondingparts in the several views.

The numeral 1 designates a thin or sheet metal-base, having slots oropenings2 formed therein at intervals. Disposed on this base is ,aplurality of tubular shell supports 3, preferably, formed of thinsheetsteel and provided with bendable pro ect1ons 4 at their lower ends,which are inserted through the slots or openings 2 and upset against theunderside of the base 1. The upper extremities of thesup orts 3 areinwardly beveled,

1 as at..5,= to faci itate the application ofshell bodies thereover; Allof the supports 3 are of the same height, or have the same verticalextent, and they are spaced such distances as to render the applicationand removal of shells with respect thereto expe ditious and convenient.

After the shells to be reshaped are arranged on the supportsS, thedevice bearing the shells is subjected tf) heat by placing it in anoven, or it may be heated by other means. After subjecting the shells tothe action of heat for a suitable length of time, which will bedetermined by practice, the shaper is removed from adjacency to theheating means with the shells thereon, and the shells permitted to cooland harden, and after cooling the shells are removed and will be readyfor repreparation or recharging by the fisual methods.

One of the great advantages of the shaper is that shells, as nowcommonly constructed,

have, a diflerence in depth, and particularly those shells where densesmokeless powder and bulk smokeless powder are used. This difference inshell construction 'can be readily determined with convenience inseparat-' ing all the shells of one kind from the supplcgts, in view ofthe fact that when two ds of shells, for instance, are applied to thesupports they will have a variation in vertical extent. The size of thebase 1 will depend upon the number of supports 3 adapted to be usedtherewith or secured thereto. In some instances it may be necessary toresupply the shell bodies with paraffin to prolong the use of theshells-or to render them further serviceable after continued use. Thiscan be readilydone by dipping the open ends of the shells in meltedparaflin previous to applying the said shells to the supports, and theheating 0 eration carried on after the shells are a pied to thesupports, as hereinbefore set orth, will facilitate the s read of theparaiiin over the bodies of the s ells.

It will be understood that the upper reduced extremities of the supports3;facilitate the application of the open ends of the shell bodiesthereto without mutilating the edges tant result of the method, asdifficulty is fre.

guentl experienced in expelling old primers rom s ells for the purposeof'replacing such primers with new ones.

Having thus described the invention, what" subseguently cooling-theshell while so sup- 5 is elaimed,'is:

' 1. The method of reshaping and restoring a-shellhaving fusiblematerial in the body thereof, consistin in supporting the shellto holdit in shape w 'le under the subjection of 10 action of heat to.distribute the stiffening 1118- terial throughout the body andsubsequently,

ooolin the shell while so su ported. I

2. he method of reshaping and restoring" a shell saturated with fus blestifiening'ma-- nesses'.

terial, consisting in supporting the shell interiorly so as to hold it1n shape While subject ing it to the action ofheat to distribute thestiffening material throughout the shell, and

' In testimonywhereof I have hereunto set m'y hand in preseneeof twosubscribing wit- V Vitnesees;

gfimmss. Hymn,

JAMES L. Nonms;

